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One Award. One Program. One Approach.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year™ is highly respected across the globe as an award, as a program, and, even more importantly, as a mindset. Since 1986, EY has been committed to the unique Entrepreneur Of The Year program, which specifically recognizes the achievements of entrepreneurs.

The program, which was launched in the US, has now spread to over 70 countries. The associated Entrepreneur Of The Year competition is the world's biggest and most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs.

The global network of 50,000 entrepreneurs continues to grow, with 5,000 nominees and 1,200 finalists added each year. In Switzerland, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year success story began in 1998. Since then, up to 50 entrepreneurs have applied for the competition every year. The jury selects one award winner from a shortlist of three finalists in each category.

You too can join the world's largest community of entrepreneurs and benefit from this unique program.

Official program partners:

Sponsors:

Who and What Is Being Evaluated

Credibility is crucial to the success of any competition. The Entrepreneur Of The Year is underpinned by clear rules, binding criteria and qualified jurors who are completely independent.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Zellweger, Director of the Center for Family Business / University of St. Gallen HSG

The assessment criteria:

Entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and acting as a role model

Financial performance and business growth

Strategic direction of the business

Global and sustainable impact of entrepreneurial activity

Innovation and future prospects of products or services

The categories:

Industry/High-Tech/Life Sciences

Trade/Services

Emerging Entrepreneur for start-ups in operation for over two years

Family Business in the third and subsequent generations

The Nomination Process

There are only four steps leading up to the Entrepreneur Of The Year award. You take the first step and we do the rest. We want to ensure that the competition is as fantastic an experience for you as it has been for others.

Four simple steps to participating:

We will contact you and conduct an interview. Duration: approximately 90 minutes.

By the end of July, we will share your documents and our impressions with the jury. The jury will make an independent decision. The jury might want to meet with you in person in August as needed. Duration: 90 minutes

On 25 October 2019, you will travel to the Gala at the Samsung Hall in Zurich-Stettbach. Together, we will witness the jury’s decision on the Entrepreneur Of The Year.

Terms and conditions of entry and rules:

The entrepreneur must be responsible for their business and play an active role in and hold a significant stake in the company

The company must be based in Switzerland and a significant proportion of the value must be generated in Switzerland

Staff of at least 40 (10 for start-ups)

Business must have been in existence for at least eight years (two for start-ups)

Minimum of CHF 10 million in annual revenue (CHF 1 million for start-ups)

Family businesses: at least three generations actively involved in running the business

Costs and benefits

Entrepreneurs are risk-takers. They weigh up the options, invest in their vision and have an optimistic mindset. With the Entrepreneur Of The Year, it's a win-win situation for everyone.

Time commitment

60 minutes: complete the nomination form (March–April)

90 minutes: interview with EY (May–June)

90 minutes: jury meets the leading candidates (July–August)

1 night (award ceremony): award and recognition of competitors

Benefits

Ten jurors conduct a valuable review of business competence and strategy completely free of charge

This is a unique award, and the competition enhances the profile of your business enormously

Ten events – held exclusively by and for entrepreneurs

Award Night

A unique event for entrepreneurs.

The 2019 Gala

The gala is the highlight of the “Entrepreneur Of The Year” competition.

In this festive event, we recognize outstanding entrepreneurial performances and award the most famous prize worldwide in this field.

The 2018 Gala

The 2018 competition featured a broad spectrum of participants. Find out which entrepreneurs went before the panel of jurors and read their background stories.

On 26 October 2018, the vitality of Switzerland's entrepreneurship impressed the audience. The winners of the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year competition were announced in Baden under enthusiastic applause.

Hall of Fame 2018

Family Business

EY refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.